Interpublic Group

Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG) is one of the largest advertising and marketing conglomerates in the world (along with Omnicom Group and WPP Group). It has offices in more than 100 countries, realizing worldwide revenue in 2007 of US$6.5 billion. IPG’s five main clients (Coca-Cola, General Motors Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle and Unilever), contributed roughly 14% of their revenue in 2001, representing $941 million of spending. The largest client spent a massive $457m purchasing services from IPG. Twenty of IPG’s clients accounted for about 25% of their revenue (Interpublic, 2001, p. 22).

History

It merged with H.K. McCann - founded 1911 by Harrison King McCann (1880-1962) - in 1930 to form McCann-Erickson. Interpublic Inc. was established in 1960 as a holding company for McCann Erickson and Marschalk & Pratt (acquired by McCann in 1954). The group was rebadged as the Interpublic Group in 1960 and expanded through an aggressive acquisition program prior to going public in 1971.